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Keith Ridge

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History | History

History | History

Why did People Wear Powdered Wigs?

The powdered wig was one of the most well-known and often lampooned features of 18th-century fashion. But how did this style come to be? And why did people wear them? Men in 16th century England wore the first wigs to cover up baldness. Wigs became increa

History | History

Why Did America Fight the Korean War?

What was the Korean War? And why was America involved in such a faraway conflict? Was the United States' sacrifice—35,000 killed, over 100,000 wounded—worth…

History | History

P-51D Mustang: I Say This Is the Best Fighter Plane Ever

P-51 Mustang pilots shot down a total of 4,950 enemy aircraft, while more than 250 of its pilots achieved ace status and had an average rate of 7.69 air-to-air kills.

History | History

Life as a Ball Turret Gunner in World War Two

Serving on a bomber in World War Two was almost a guaranteed death sentence. Depending on the unit and time of the war, US bomber crews could experience anywhere from 50% to just over 70% of their personnel becoming killed, missing, or taken prisoner. Wit

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Did Europe Destroy Native American Culture?

It is undeniable that Native Americans suffered terribly after the arrival of European settlers, but was this the result of malice or tragic inevitability?…

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JFK Secret Service agent questions assassination theory

"At this point, I'm beginning to doubt myself. Now I begin to wonder," Paul Landis said regarding if Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone.

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50 Amazing Rarely Seen Photos From World War II

When you take a step back from it, modern war is genuinely bizarre. Nation-states, formed by drawing arbitrary lines on a map, fight it out over abstract principles of sovereignty, democracy, fascism, etc., and do so by trying to conquer pieces of one ano

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Why George Washington Is Still the GOAT

As we celebrate the founding of the greatest country on God’s green earth, Russian president Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked and brutal invasion of Ukraine reminds us that all around the world, others are still struggling to shake off the yoke of imperial

History | History

27 Untold Facts about the Declaration of Independence

The declaration of independence is a document that changed the course of U.S history forever. In the year 1776, the continental congress declared the independence of 13 US countries from Great Britain. Here are 27 facts about the declaration of independen

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USS Washington Scored the Only WW II One-on-One Battleship Kill

The U.S. Navy battleship USS Washington made history by delivering the first, and only, one-on-one battleship kill of World War II.

History | History

On this day in history, June 3, 1965, Ed White becomes first American to walk in space: 'Just tremendous'

NASA astronaut Ed White embarked on an historic spacewalk on this day in history, June 3, 1965. The astronaut spent about 20 minutes outside the spacecraft and said, "I feel like a million dollars."

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5 must-see World War II documentaries

Numerous documentaries have ventured to convey the immense sacrifices of WWII.

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History’s Last Battleship vs. Battleship Battle Was Truly Epic

Surigao Strait would prove to be a bit of sweet revenge for the USN battleship community, as five of Oldendorf’s six battleships employed in the engagement had been sunk or damaged during the Pearl Harbor raid and subsequently raised or rebuilt.

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The Spiteful Was Better Than the Spitfire, But Even That Wasn't Good Enough

The Supermarine Spiteful was fast, but it arrived too late for World War II.

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The largest naval battle of WWII began 78 years ago today

On October 23, 1944, the largest naval battle of World War II began in the Leyte Gulf off the coast of the Philippines.

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25 Rare and Overlooked Images From the Famed Apollo 11 Mission

The images include the first photo taken by a human from the lunar surface and rare views of the intrepid Apollo 11 astronauts.

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The Legendary B-25 Mitchell Bomber: The First of the Flying Gunships

During the Second World War, the North American B-25 Mitchell bomber struck back at Japan when the Allies were losing the war.

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The French & Indian War: Setting the Stage for the American Revolution

The French and Indian War between Britain and France was part of a proto-World War, with conflict in Europe and North America, that set the stage for the American Revolution.

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17 Facts about the American Revolution You Might Not Know

Otherwise known as the Revolutionary War, the revolution was a period of time where the residents of American colonies rose up against their colonial rulers, the British crown. Here are 17 facts about the American Revolution you might not know

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Why No Battleships From Pearl Harbor Remain Today

A truly sad historical fact: not a single battleship that was in Pearl harbor during the Japanese attack is intact.

History | History

How A U.S. President And A Former Slave Became Friends

One was born in a one-room cabin in Kentucky. The other, born into slavery in Maryland. In time, they became two of America's best leaders.

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Apollo in 50 numbers: Food

Apollo’s multi-day missions meant astronauts needed good quality food. But how do you cook a meal in space when you don’t have a stove or even hot water?

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Snoopy to the Moon! Apollo 10 Commander Looks Back on Historic Flight 50 Years Ago | Space

This is the 50th anniversary of NASA's Apollo 10 mission, which is often referred to as a dress rehearsal for the Apollo 11 lunar landing.

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7 of the craziest commando missions of World War II

World War II was an exciting time for special operations and commandos. The advent of airborne operations gave them a whole new angle of approach, and the sheer scale of the war guaranteed that they’d have plenty of chances to use their skills.

History | History

Presidents Day: What you may not know - CNNPolitics.com

Retailers open their doors Monday and roll out big sales to entice customers. Government employees -- along with kids -- have the day off. But do you know why?

History | History

Constitutionally, Slavery Is No National Institution - The New York Times

It is one of the most destructive falsehoods in American history to say otherwise. The Civil War began over a simple question: Did the Constitution of the United States recognize slavery — property in humans — in national law?

History | History

Was it Wrong to Drop the Atom Bomb on Japan? - Prager University

In recent years, many academics and others have condemned President Truman's decision to use the atomic bomb on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki as unnecessary and immoral. Yet this interpretation relies on a poor understanding of history tha